NJPAC: 2026 is loaded with Chris Tucker, Darren Fleet and Mario Adrion

You already know my Garden State pride is pretty intense around these parts but how about geeking out over the legendary NJPAC welcoming a slew of solid comedians to its stage in the coming weeks from Hollywood heavyweight Chris Tucker to state senator Jon Bramnick. Holy smokes.

NJPAC comes fully loaded with comedians to wrap up 2026

From this month through December, the Newark venue is keeping the doors open for tons of funny celebrities.

In serious times, sometimes the best thing to do is get out and laugh. From now through December, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) will make audiences laugh out loud with a dynamic comedy lineup featuring celebrated screen stars, viral sensations, rising stand-up voices, beloved podcast personalities and hometown favorites.

The season kicks off with Jamie Lissow, a regular weekly guest on Fox’s Gutfeld!, followed by beloved funnyman and film star Chris Tucker, best known for Friday and Rush Hour. Audiences can also look forward to the fast-rising German comedian Mario Adrion, comedy circuit standout Darren Fleet, and the Hispanic comedy phenomenon Hablando Huevadas, featuring Ricardo Mendoza and Jorge Luna.

NJPAC will also welcome attorney-turned-comedian and New Jersey state senator Jon Bramnick with special guest Vinnie Brand; Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamo for The Bald and the Beautiful Live: Very Bald, Very Beautiful; high-energy stand-up Justin Silva;acclaimed comic and Hacks performer Robby Hoffman; international stand-up voice Nataly Aukar; and Matt McCusker, co-host of Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast.

The laughter continues over Thanksgiving weekend with the Thanksgiving Comedy Fest,featuring Bill Bellamy, Luenell, Mark Curry and Tacarra Williams. The season closes in December with Ron Taylor, the first winner of Netflix’s new comedy competition show Funny AF with Kevin Hart.

Comedy Lineup

• Jamie Lissow — Friday, September 25 at 8:00 p.m.
• Chris Tucker — Friday, October 2 at 8:00 p.m.
• Mario Adrion — Sunday, October 4 at 7:00 p.m.
• Darren Fleet — Friday, October 23 at 8:00 p.m.
• Hablando Huevadas — Monday, October 26 at 8:00 p.m. and Wednesday, October 28 at 8:00 p.m.
• Jon Bramnick with special guest Vinnie Brand — Friday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m.
• The Bald and the Beautiful Live: Very Bald, Very Beautiful — Friday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m.
• Justin Silva — Saturday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m.
• Robby Hoffman — Thursday, November 19 at 8:00 p.m.
• Matt McCusker — Friday, November 20 at 8:00 p.m.
• Nataly Aukar — Saturday, November 21 at 8:00 p.m.
• Thanksgiving Comedy Fest — Saturday, November 28 at 8:00 p.m.
• Ron Taylor — Thursday, December 10 at 8:00 p.m.

From razor-sharp political punchlines and iconic film stories to cultural comedy, podcast favorites and fresh new voices, NJPAC’s fall comedy season offers something for every audience. Whether fans are planning a date night, a night out with friends or a much-needed break from the headlines, NJPAC is the place to see the best in comedy.

Tickets are available now. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit njpac.orgor contact the NJPAC Box Office. 

JAMIE LISSOW
FRI. SEPT. 25 AT 8:00 P.M.

Comedian Jamie Lissow is a regular weekly guest on Fox’s Gutfeld!, where he’s known for his no-holds-barred punchlines about politics, pop culture and current events. As an actor, he starred in two seasons of the Netflix Original Series Real Rob alongside SNL alums Rob Schneider, Adam Sandler, Norm MacDonald and David Spade — a show Jamie co-wrote and co-produced. He also co-hosts the podcast Afraid to Ask, where he and his smarter half, Dr. Erika, answer all kinds of questions about health, dating, sex and divorce.

CHRIS TUCKER
FRI. OCT. 2 AT 8:00 P.M

Beloved funnyman and screen star Chris Tucker (Friday, Rush Hour) takes the stage! The Def Comedy Jam and Netflix sensation keeps his audience in stitches with laugh-out-loud stories from the sets of his iconic films, along with spot-on impersonations and hilarious takes on current events and pop culture. His razor-sharp wit and impeccable comic timing make for an unforgettable night of laughs.

MARIO ADRION
SUN. OCT. 4 AT 7:00 P.M.

You’ll laugh from start to finish with German stand-up comedian (and fast-rising star) Mario Adrion. His ironically titled debut special, My Struggle, smashed stereotypes about German and American culture. He talks about growing up in the Black Forest, living in Los Angeles and the hilarious differences (and similarities) between the two. Mario’s German Efficiency Tour was a global hit, so don’t miss The Superior Comedy Tour — and this fresh new comedic voice.

DARREN FLEET
FRI. OCT. 23, AT 8:00 P.M.

Darren Fleet is making waves in the comedy circuit and you’ll want to catch the ride. With humorous rants on everyday life, Fleet has been headlining — and selling out — A-list rooms across the country. He has taken the stage at the BET Awards, Essence Festival, CIAA All-Star Weekend and Bronner Bros Hair Convention. See what attracts millions of social media fans to this comedic force.

HABLANDO HUEVADAS
MON. OCT. 26 AT 8:00 P.M.
WEDS. OCT. 28 AT 8:00 P.M.

Hablando Huevadas, the viral video podcast that became a Hispanic comedy phenomenon on YouTube, returns to the U.S. this fall. Ricardo Mendoza and Jorge Luna are hitting the road again following their historic 2024 tour where they became the first Spanish-speaking comedians to sell out Madison Square Garden. Originating in Peru, Hablando Huevadas has reached over 7 million subscribers and 5.1 billion views on YouTube. The 2026 tour, presented by Loud and Live, will feature a revamped version of the format that fans know and love — a blend of hilarious stand-up and improvisation that allows the audience to share the spotlight with the comedians. This show to be performed in Spanish.

JON BRAMNICK WITH SPECIAL GUEST VINNIE BRAND
FRI. OCT. 30 AT 7:30 P.M.

Attorney-turned-comedian Jon Bramnick is so funny, it should be a crime. Born and raised in Plainfield, he’s the “Funniest Lawyer in New Jersey” — a legally binding title bestowed by the State Bar Association. When Jon’s not busy working as a trial lawyer at his Scotch Plains personal injury firm, he’s doing stand-up at comedy clubs from New York City to Florida. He also serves as a New Jersey state senator. At this show, you’ll be guilty of laughing all night long. Special guest Vinnie Brand opens the show. This hilarious stand-up comic also runs The Stress Factory Comedy Club in New Brunswick, New Jersey and Bridgeport, Connecticut.

THE BALD AND THE BEAUTIFUL LIVE: VERY BALD, VERY BEAUTIFUL
FRI. NOV. 6 AT 7:30 P.M.

Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamo feature a pair of grizzled gay ghouls exploring the cultural boundaries of modern beauty through interviews with guests from across the beauty industry. From models, moguls, influencers, drag queens and adult performers to actors and more Trixie and Katya break down the beauty behind it all – live on stage.

JUSTIN SILVA
SAT. NOV. 7 AT 7:00 P.M.

Justin has taken his comedy to stages across the country, including Punch Line, Helium, Funny Bone, Improv and Stress Factory. His comedy content has reached millions of viewers, while his live shows continue to win over audiences with nonstop energy and plenty of laughs. Following his 2024 Worldwide Tour, Justin continues to tour, create and grow as one of comedy’s rising acts. Driven by his faith, his family and his six children, Justin is committed to creating a space where audiences can forget about reality for a while and simply laugh. 

ROBBY HOFFMAN
THURS. NOV. 19 AT 8:00 P.M.

Robby Hoffman is “the future of comedy” (The Daily Beast). She steals the show in her Emmy-nominated role of Randi in the acclaimed HBO series Hacks. John Mulaney directed her button-pushing debut Netflix special, Wake Up, about growing up in a large Hasidic family, discovering her sexuality and finding success. And she made a splash on HBO’s Rooster and FX’s Dying for Sex. The New York Times applauds Robby’s “bulldozing stand-up,” “mountain-out-of-a-molehill kvetching” and “hilarious rage,” comparing her to Larry David and Andrew Dice Clay.

NATALY AUKAR
SAT. NOV. 21 AT 8:00 P.M.

From Lebanon to NYC, comedian Nataly Aukar “takes audiences by surprise.” Her stand-up is “compelling,” “sardonic,” “deadpan,” “deft” and “relatable,” according to Vulture’s 2025 ranking of hot new comics to watch. Aukar riffs about her family, her fears and her flaws on stages around the world, including the Netflix Is a Joke Festival and Don’t Tell Comedy. She’s opened for Nimesh Patel, Ramy Youssef, Hasan Minhaj, Gad El Maleh and Mo Amer. She co-hosts the podcast Please Continue with Monica Hanna.

MATT MCCUSKER
FRI. NOV. 20 AT 8:00 P.M.

Give it up for comedian Matt McCusker, a.k.a. The Shaman! Alongside Shane Gillis, he co-hosts Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast — the #1 Patreon podcast in the world, consistently dominating Spotify’s Comedy Charts. He’s also a regular guest of Joe Rogan, Theo Von and other top podcasters. Never afraid to speak his mind, McCusker’s philosophical musings on masculinity, wellness, relationships and fatherhood have earned him a mega following. His hilarious comedy specials include A Humble Offering (Netflix) and The Speed of Light

THANKSGIVING COMEDY FEST
SAT. NOV. 28 AT 8:00 P.M.

Give thanks for the Thanksgiving Comedy Fest, featuring a cornucopia of comedy superstars:

Bill Bellamy coined the phrase “booty call” and has appeared in countless TV shows and movies including Def Comedy Jam, Who’s Got Jokes?, Last Coming Standing, Any Given Sunday and Issa Rae’s Insecure.

Luenell is a force of nature best known for her role as the “hooker with a heart of gold” in Borat, and appearances in A Star Is Born, Dolemite Is My Name, Hotel Transylvania, Taken 2, That’s My Boy, Snoop Dogg’s Bad Girls of Comedy and Lopez.

Mark Curry is best known for playing Mark Cooper in the hit ABC sitcom Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, and appearances on Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and more. His legendary stand-up comedy has been seen on HBO’s One Night Stand, Comedy Central Presents and Def Comedy Jam.

The fearless and unapologetic Tacarra Williams makes audiences laugh with hard-won wisdom learned from the streets. In addition to her Comedy Central special produced by Kevin Hart, she’s opened for Tony Rock, Deray Davis and Bill Bellamy, and made a splash on Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam and NBC’s Bring the Funny.

RON TAYLOR
THURS. DEC. 10 AT 8:00 P.M. 

If you love outstanding stand-up, you’ll love Ron Taylor. He was just crowned the first winner of Netflix’s new comedy competition show Funny AF with Kevin Hart. We’re not surprised! Ron has honed his comedy chops to razor sharpness over the past fifteen years. He easily won over the at-home voters and the all-star judging panel, including Tom Segura, Nikki Glaser, Chelsea Handler and Kumail Nanjiani. You can check out Ron’s debut special Avalanche on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. His upcoming Netflix special is sure to be an instant hit.

About NJPAC
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States.  It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.  As New Jersey’s anchor cultural institution, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city.  Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.  NJPAC has attracted more than 12 million visitors (including more than two million children) since opening its doors in 1997 and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit njpac.org for more information @njpac